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Companions<br />
52. Béy, bu àndul ak béy ya, ànd ak cere ja. (2,3,6,9,19)<br />
If a goat is not with the other goats then it is with the couscous.<br />
“Bad companions ruin good morals.”<br />
A person must choose his companions carefully. He should stay with his relatives and not<br />
go off on his own or with bad company for if you have problems which are beyond you<br />
then you have no way of solving them.<br />
Omar is a boy from a good family and a good student at high school. His best friend, Laiti<br />
quit school and lives by his wits. Omar’s father is worried about the bad influence which<br />
Laiti could have on his son and advises him not to frequent his friend, citing this proverb.<br />
A person should stay with his friends. Going alone only leads to danger and problems.<br />
53. Ginaar du am faru siiru. (2,3)<br />
A chicken does not have a wildcat for a fiancé.<br />
Mansor found a good way to earn a living through contraband. One of his friends is a<br />
customs officer. They see each other often, but the customs officer does not know anything<br />
about the activities of Mansor. One day Mansor’s elder brother tells him to be careful of<br />
his friend because “a chicken doesn't have a wildcat for a fiance”.<br />
54. Ku boot bukki, xaj baw la. (2,4,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,19)<br />
Whoever carries an hyena on his back, the dogs will bark at you.<br />
If you associate with bad people, others will despise you.<br />
55. a. Ñax gu wow dina lakk gu tooy. (2,11,12,16)<br />
b. Ñax mu wow dina lakk gu tooy, waaye it mu tooy dina wallu bu wow. (9)<br />
a. Dry grass will burn wet grass.<br />
b. Dry grass will burn wet grass but wet grass will save dry grass.<br />
“One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.”<br />
A bad person can bring harm to himself, and at the same time harm innocent people<br />
around him. One says this when someone has a bad companion, to indicate the dangers of<br />
the bad influence; or to a person wanting something but whose character is unknown and<br />
who belongs to a group who do not repay debts.<br />
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1Co 16:33 NIV)<br />
56. Àndandoo sag maas, diir koo yemal mbagg. (2,3)<br />
Àndandook say maas, diirook koo yemal i mbagg. (19)<br />
Go with those of your own generation, choosing those who are equal with yourself.<br />
If you try and keep up with those who are better and stronger than you, you only create<br />
problems for yourself, as they will take you past your limits. It is better to surround<br />
yourself with those on the same level as you are.<br />
57. Béy wu ne, am nag déem. (3,19)<br />
Béy wu ne am nag déem, (te yaay samag déem.) (2)<br />
Bëy wu ne am na ag déem. (6)<br />
Every goat has its jujube (red date) plant.<br />
Everyone is privileged somewhere. Everyone has someone with whom he finds favour for<br />
comfort, advice, help etc.<br />
Massila has a reputation of living comfortably but not of being generous. One day at a<br />
celebration a griot sings his praises and those of his ancestors. When the griot has finished,<br />
Massila gives him a large note. The griot shows the note to everyone and proclaims he has<br />
found favour with Massila, citing this proverb.<br />
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